Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a detachable connection for hollow profiles and can be used in the manufacture of building and structure members, such as windows or doors, in the construction industry, and in the machine building industry. The growing need for devices intended for connecting hollow profiles and the production output of relevant equipment requires the expansion of the range and continuous improvement of technical means for the implementation of this purpose.

Prior Art

An angle connector for hollow profiles is known, which comprises at least two parts. In each case, connecting parts can be inserted in the hollow space of the hollow section and can comprise a fixing device to connect them with the relevant hollow section. The connecting parts also have a fixture to connect the connecting parts, each of which is attached to the hollow section and to each other. Because in each case the connecting parts are pre-fitted in the relevant hollow profiles, those hollow profiles (with their corresponding connecting parts) should be positioned only relative to each other, and then connected together by putting their connecting parts together with the actual formation of joint comers (WO 2005019588).

A longitudinal end connection for hollow structural tubes is known, which has an insert-type connecting piece of U-shaped cross-section, characterised in that the inserttype connecting piece has a base plate at least in an area of joint of hollow profiles. The insert-type connecting piece is made in the form of a curved pressed part of metal, and the base plate consists of one or two curved lugs bent away from the side walls. The base plate is oriented toward the inner side of the strut frame. The insert-type connecting piece has a support for hollow profiles. The support is formed by springing stop ledges oriented toward each other and is located on the mid-wall of the insert-type connecting piece. One or several springing retainers are provided on the mid- wall and/or on the side walls. Several holes are provided in the mid- wall of the insert-type connecting piece to insert the connecting pieces for form-fit connection with hollow profiles; the above holes are loosely punched out and have a triangular shape; the bases of triangles are oriented toward the joint; and the triangle apexes - toward the closest end of the insert-type connecting piece, respectively (RU 2091556) A longitudinal connection for hollow structural tubes is known, which comprises a connecting piece, pins and fastening elements, characterised in that the connecting piece is of the H-shaped form, with convex ribs having transverse bores for at least two pins; and each pin has a threaded hole arranged perpendicularly to its axis; and hollow profiles with the corresponding holes for fastening elements, e.g. screws; and vertical holes for fastening screws are provided in the ribs (RU 2041325).

An angle connector for hollow profiles is known, which consists of a connecting insert of H-shaped cross-section and a tensioner in the form of V-shaped elements with screws; and the connecting insert ends are in the form of ledges, the inside ends of which have slopes between which grooved wedge-shaped elements are arranged; one of their surfaces is smooth, and the other one - ribbed; the screw axes are mutually perpendicular to one another, crossed, and displaced relative to one another at a distance greater than one screw diameter (SU 1819318).

An angle connector for hollow profiles is known, which comprises two linear elements of closed section, a slotted insert and fastening elements; moreover, it is completed with split keys, and the outer side of the insert is notched with its slots being cross-sectionally U-shaped; and split keys are positioned in the slots and pressed with fastening elements; and the surface of each of split key contacting with the hollow section wall is also notched (SU 969872, a prototype.)

Disadvantages of prior arrangements are their structural complexity and manufacturing complexity.

Summary of the Invention

The technical problem which is addressed by this technical solution lies in extending the range and enhancing the efficiency of such technical means which provide the connection of hollow profiles.

The technical result achieved through the use of the claimed technical solution is to create an efficient alternative design of the above arrangement for making it possible to use the end- and angle connections of hollow profiles. The claimed technical solution makes it possible to reduce the structural complexity and speed up the process of joining.

The essence of the invention is that a connection for hollow profiles, having cross- sectionally similar shapes with interior longitude comers, that comprises a connecting piece, which is put into interaction with the internal surface of the hollow profiles; a connecting piece which is made of two inserts, and each insert is made of an elastic material in the form of an angle element with a longitudinal rib and longitudinal ledges oriented at an obtuse angle toward each other; herein, the inserts are oriented with their longitudinal ribs toward each other and are mounted in the section hollow space with the formation of an X-shaped connecting piece of two-part design; and each insert is secured, by virtue of its elastic deformation, with free edges of its ledges into the hollow section inside corners as far as they go.

In particular cases of embodiment, the connecting piece is made of two inserts spaced between their longitudinal ribs and with one, two or more plates between them.

In other particular cases of embodiment, the connecting piece is made of two inserts directly mating each other by their longitudinal ribs.

In particular cases of embodiment, each insert is made with a longitudinal rib rounded between its flat ledges.

In particular cases of embodiment, each insert is made with convex ledges and a longitudinal rib.

In particular cases of embodiment, each insert is positioned along the hollow section wall with the possibility of elastic deformation when its longitudinal rib is exposed to loads to secure it in the internal longitudinal comers of the hollow section.

Generally, the connecting piece is fitted in the section hollow space breaking to ensure its fixation between the opposite walls of the section.

In particular cases of embodiment, the arrangement is completed with at least one threaded press-pusher installed transversally the hollow section with the possibility of acting on the connecting piece plates or directly on the inserts of the connecting piece.

In particular cases of embodiment, the connection is designed with two mating hollow profiles with their ends connected along the same straight line and with a straight- line connecting piece.

In particular cases of embodiment, the connection is designed with two mating hollow profiles with their ends connected at an angle of 45 ⁰ or at any other angle, and with a connecting piece consisting of two inserts that cross-sectionally have the shape of an angle corresponding to the angle set between the hollow profiles.

Short description of drawings

The drawings in Fig.l - Fig.6 schematically represent some examples (in particular cases) of embodiment of the claimed connection for hollow profiles.

Fig. 1 schematically represents a longitudinal connection of hollow profiles 1 (designated as 1-1 and 1-2 in the drawings) in three orthogonal projections with planes of two plates 3 being supported on rounded vertices of the distance inserts 2. Fig. 2 schematically represents the longitudinal connection of hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2 in three orthogonal projections with the edges of two plates 3 being supported by longitudinal flat ledges or directly by the rounded vertices of the inserts 2.

Fig. 3 schematically represents the longitudinal connection of hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2 in three orthogonal projections with the rounded vertices of the inserts 2 (designated as 2-1 and 2-2 in Fig. 3) being supported on each other with the formation of a non-symmetrical X-shaped connecting piece. The inserts 2-1 and 2-2 are wedge-shaped and longitudinally decrease in height (as seen in Fig. 3 in longitudinal front view.) Such inserts 2-1 and 2-2 are positioned with their opposite narrow ends in the hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2.

Fig. 4a schematically represents the longitudinal connection of hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2 in three orthogonal projections with planes of two plates 3, being directly supported on the rounded vertices of the inserts 2, and each of the plates is placed in one of the connected hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2.

Fig. 4b schematically represents the longitudinal connection of hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2 in three orthogonal projections with the plane of a single plate 3 being directly supported on the rounded vertices of the inserts 2 and longitudinally positioned in one of the connected hollow profiles 1-2.

Fig. 4c schematically represents the longitudinal connection of hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2 in three orthogonal projections with planes of a single plate 3, being directly supported by rounded comers of the inserts 2, and positioned in both connected hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2.

Fig. 5a schematically represents a lateral section of a connection of hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2 with planes of two plates 3 directly supported on the rounded vertices of the inserts 2, which are positioned in a way to make it possible to move them apart and together by rotating the pusher 5 made in the form of a threaded element (a bolt).

Fig. 5b schematically represents a lateral section of the connection of hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2 with planes of two plates 3 supported directly on the rounded vertices of the inserts 2, which are positioned in a way to make it possible to move them apart and together by rotating the pusher 5 made in the form of a threaded element (a bolt), where there are additional two stiffening arc-shaped inserts 6 with their edges being in contact with edges of the inserts 2 along the comers of the connected hollow profiles 1.

Fig. 5c schematically represents a lateral section of the connection of hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2, where there is pusher 5 positioned immediately between the rounded comers of the inserts 2 which are positioned in a way to make it possible to move the latter apart when rotating the pusher 5 made in the form of a threaded element (a bolt) which position can be adjusted by screwing in/out of a nut 4.

Fig. 6 schematically represents an angular connection of the hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2 in two orthogonal projections with planes of two plates 3 supported directly on vertices of the inserts 2 in the case where each of the plates 3 is placed in one of the connected hollow profiles and directly supported on vertices of the inserts 2.

A connection for hollow profiles 1, having similarly shaped cross-sections with longitudinal internal comers, has a connecting piece which is put into interaction with them. The connecting piece is made of two identical right and left (in the end view of the arrangement in the above drawings) inserts 2 made of metal or any other sufficiently sound and at the same time elastic material. Elasticity is a property of material when it is deformed under load and regains its original shape and size after its removal.

The connecting piece of hollow profiles 1 according to Fig. 1 is made of two identical symmetrical inserts 2 spaced at intervals between their longitudinal ribs, and two plates 3 placed in the above possible interval between them, or the connecting piece is made of two inserts 2 directly mating each other by their longitudinal ribs.

Each insert 2 can be made:

- with a longitudinal rib (a vertex) being rounded between its flat ledges,

- or each insert 2 is made with convex ledges and a rounded longitudinal rib (a vertex)

- or each insert 2 is made with flat ledges and a longitudinal rib (a vertex) that is formed by an intersection line of planes of its ledges.

Generally, the connecting piece is fitted in the section 1 hollow space breaking to secure it between the opposite walls of the hollow section.

In particular cases of embodiment, the arrangement is completed with at least one threaded press-pusher 5 installed transversally in the hollow section 1 with the possibility of acting on the plate 3 of the connecting piece (Fig. 5a).

In particular cases of embodiment, the arrangement is completed with an extra pair of stiffening inserts 2 (Fig. 5b).

In particular cases of embodiment, the arrangement is completed with at least one threaded press-pusher 5 installed transversally in the hollow section 1 with the possibility of acting on ribs of the inserts 2 of the connecting piece (Fig. 5c).

In particular cases of embodiment, a plate installed between the ribs of the inserts 2 of the connecting piece can be used as a press-pusher. In this case, the plate thickness should be equal to or more than a gap between the ribs of the connecting piece inserts (Fig. 4).

In particular cases of embodiment, the connection is arranged with two mating hollow profiles 1 (designated as 1-1 and 1-2 in drawings) with their ends connected along the same straight line, and with a straight-line connecting piece.

In particular cases of the embodiment of end connection, an angle other than 180 degrees is formed between the hollow profiles 1; in this case, the inserts 2 of the connecting piece are not straight; they have, in their longitudinal section, the shape of an angle corresponding to the angle set between the hollow profiles 1 (Fig. 6).

Each insert 2 is made of an elastic material in the form of a non-rectangular angle element with a longitudinal rib and longitudinal ledges oriented at an obtuse angle toward each other. The inserts 2 are oriented with their longitudinal ribs toward each other and are mounted in the section 1 hollow space with the formation of an X-shaped connecting piece consisting of two parts (it may be with an interval as shown in the end view of the arrangement in drawings), or without an interval between the inserts 2 (Fig. 3). Each insert 2 is secured parallel to the wall of this hollow section 1 by virtue of its elastic deformation with a free edge of its ledges into the hollow section 1 , preferably onto inside comers on the internal longitudinal corners of the closed section 1 as far as it will go.

The connecting piece can consist of two inserts 2 spaced at an interval between their longitudinal ribs and one, two or more plates 3 in the above possible interval between them, or the connecting piece is made of two inserts 2 directly mating each other by their longitudinal ribs (Fig. 3).

Each insert 2 can have a longitudinal rib rounded in the area between its flat ledges (i.e. the rounded area where its ledges mate), or each insert 2 is made with convex ledges and a longitudinal rib, or each insert 2 is made with a longitudinal rib formed by the crossed planes of its ledges.

The hollow profiles 1 are of identical closed cross-section.

Each insert 2 is arranged along (e.g. in parallel) the wall of the hollow section 1 with the possibility of elastic deformation when its longitudinal rib is exposed to loads to secure free edges of its ledges in the internal longitudinal comers of the hollow section 1.

The connecting piece is installed in the hollow space of the section 1 with its inserts 2 breaking to secure it between the opposite walls of the hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2.

The arrangement can be completed with at least one threaded press-pusher 5 installed transversally in the hollow section 1 with the possibility of acting on the plates 3 and/or the insert 2 of the connecting piece (Fig. 5). The arrangement can be made with two mating hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2 with their ends connected along the same straight line, and with a straight connecting piece with straight inserts (Fig. 1, 2, 3).

The arrangement can be made with two mating hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2 with their ends connected at an angle of 45 ⁰ or any other angle, and with a connecting piece consisting of two inserts and cross-sectionally having the shape of an angle corresponding to the angle set between the hollow profiles, and one, two, or more plates 3 and/or one, two, or more pushers with a force F (Fig. 6).

Detailed Description of the Invention Preferred embodiment

The insert 2 cross-sectionally is, for example, an arch, the ends of which are longitudinal edges, i.e. ledges of the insert (element) 2, or an arch which turns into straight-line segments the ends of which are longitudinal edges of the element 2, or they are two straight-line segments, the external ends of which rest on internal corners of the closed sections 1-1 and 1-2, and their internal ends are integrated in any figure that is capable of transferring pressure onto it applied via the above straight-line segments into the internal comers of the closed section 1.

Two identical elements 2 are placed inside the closed hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2 turned 180 degrees relative to each other and they are arranged in the interior in such a way that the ends of longitudinal edges lie on the opposite sides of the hollow section, and the vertices of elements 2 are on the opposite side; it is a "home position" in the sequel. If one applies a sufficient force F by means of the pusher 5 (the pressing element) towards the external vertice of the insert 2, the longitudinal sides of the element 2 will then part relative to each other under the action of the occurred elastic deformation as they slide along the sides of hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2 and rest against its comers; it will be a "running position" in the sequel. If one applies a force F by means of the pusher 5 to the vertices of two elements 2 that are in the home position, they will take the running position. The force with which the longitudinal sides of the elements 2 rest against the corners of the hollow section 1 will depend on a value of the force applied between the vertices of the elements 2. Therewith, elastic deformation of the closed sections 1-1 and 1-2 may occur, but since the elements 2 are the same and if one symmetrically applies to them the force F by means of the pusher 5, the sections 1-1 and 1-2 are deformed uniformly relative to the original planes of symmetry. The connecting point of the hollow profiles 1 (the match line of hollow profiles) is also longitudinally aligned based on the description above. The end result is a connection that, in the case of rectangular- or square hollow profiles, consists of:

2 - two elements - inserts.

1 - two closed hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2 to be connected, against which the longitudinal sides of elements 2 rest.

3 - arrangements (plates) which exert a force directed symmetrically toward the opposite external vertices of figures of the elements 2 or areas located in close proximity to its ribs (vertices).

In particular cases of the embodiment of connection (shown in Fig. 3), the inserts 2- 1 and 2-2 are wedge-shaped and decrease in height longitudinally (as seen in Fig. 3 in longitudinal front view.) Such inserts 2-1 and 2-2 are positioned with their opposite narrow ends in the hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2. In this connection, the vertices (ribs) of the inserts 2-1 and 2-2 are directly connected with each other and the necessary interaction force is formed without using the arrangement (plates) 3.

The connection tightness and self-locking preventing the inserts 2-1 and 2-2 from falling out are ensured by a small angle of skew of the wedge shape of inserts.

All drawing in Fig.l - Fig. 6 schematically represent the claimed connection by "abutment" of the closed hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2 which ensures the mating (junction) of all sides of the connected hollows sections with their end edges to each other along the match line of closed sections 1-1 and 1-2 designated as 0.

The claimed connection assembly for hollow profiles is structurally simple, consists of easily replaceable parts, which can be transported non-assembled and assembled at the place of its operation by means of standard tools.

Thus, the claimed technical solution represents the implementation of a simple and reliable connection of hollow profiles without applying a shock- or bending forces, or chemical or heat treatment (a glue or welding) that could deform the connected hollow profiles 1-1 and 1-2. During its operation, all space loads are symmetrically limited to the symmetrical elements 2, 3 of connections inside the hollow profiles 1.

Thereat, the claimed connection is implemented "line-to-line" and is the most reasonable for the transfer of fluxes of forces, since the relevant joining sides (edges) of the connected hollow profiles are within the same plane so that the fluxes of forces between the connected hollow profiles deviate from the relevant integral place to a lesser extent, and, consequently, the smallest stress concentrations occur in the resulting product. Therefore, the claimed connection, when operating under dynamic variable load, provides greater durability and safety factor of the product. Moreover, this connection is cost-effective with regard to the consumption of materials. Its implementation requires only to cut the connected hollow profiles and process the mating edges.

It should be noted that the possibilities of using the invention are not limited to the particular cases of embodiment as described above. Other examples of embodiment can also be implemented. Any design concept created as a result of an equivalent substitution or transformation shall be deemed to fall within the protection area of this invention.

Industrial applicability

Thus, the embodiment of the invention claimed results in expanding the range of arrangements for connecting hollow profiles through the creation of an original alternative arrangement for connecting hollow profiles, which has high reliability and durability, the possibility of implementing its function and low-cost serial production.